Harford County voters could barely make up their minds in choosing between Republican sheriff candidates Jeff Gahler and Steven Bodway last month. Gahler ultimately prevailed and secured the Republican nomination by the narrow margin of just 64 votes, but now Harford County could see both Gahler and Bodway working in the Sheriff’s Office this November.

During his address to the Deputy Sheriff’s Union on Tuesday night, Gahler announced that his former political rival Bodway would be joining his Command Staff if he defeats Democratic incumbent Sheriff Jesse Bane in the General Election.

“I have made no specific announcements or decisions concerning command staff with the only exception being Steve Bodway. I met with Steve following the outcome of the Primary Election and Steve will be returning to the Office as a member of my command staff,” Gahler said Thursday.

Gahler said the addition of Bodway to his campaign and potential staff was a natural and sensible fit.

“Steve and I shared many common themes in our campaigns concerning issues existing in the Sheriff Office and I believe the close vote demonstrated how much citizens identified with each of our platforms. I know Steve will be a great asset to my administration and to the men and women of the Sheriff’s Office,” Gahler added.

Bodway said Saturday that he was “honored” to be asked by Gahler to join his staff, should he prevail in November.

“Jeff and I met after the election to share ideas and methods of applying these changes in a manner that is prudent and cost effective. Jeff and I have very similar ideas of improvements for the Sheriff’s Office. During our meeting he did ask me to join him on his staff and I was honored to accept,” Bodway said.

Bodway said one thing Harford County residents could expect to see from a Gahler-Bodway regime would be greater cooperation between state and county law enforcement – mirroring the cooperation being exhibited between Gahler (MSP) and Bodway (HCSO) themselves.

“One of the most important issues within the platform that we shared during the race was one of cooperation and effectiveness between the State Police and the Sheriff’s Office. Our joining forces was a prime example of doing what we say we are going to do. The decision to do this was an easy one because it is in the best interest of public safety in Harford County,” Bodway said.

Bodway also agrees that he and Gahler should have little trouble working together.

“Jeff and I are fellow graduates of Johns Hopkins University and our management philosophy is similar in practice and in style which will allow us to work well together,” he said.

Bodway said he will be working on Gahler’s campaign for the next month until the General Election and, should Gahler win, he is ready to accept whatever role Gahler assigns him.

“Traditionally, the month after the General election is decided is when the Sheriff makes the selection of the top commanders. I fully support Jeff in his campaign for Sheriff and will serve on his staff in the role that he believes will best serve the Sheriff’s Office,” Bodway said. “My role on his campaign is that of any other member of his staff which is to share our common goal in having Jeff become the next Sheriff of Harford County.”

As for his chief deputy, or under-sheriff, Gahler said he has yet to make that decision and remains focused for the time being on beating Bane.

“I have not yet interviewed those other individuals that I would consider for Chief Deputy or for other command positions, so I have made no other decisions at this point. As was the case before the Primary, my main priority and effort will be focused on winning the election and not personnel decisions,” Gahler added.

Carol: Care to give us any LAW ENFORCEMENT specifics that Bane has implemented over the past 37 years? Hug a thug and family fun days don’t count. Nothing comes to mind, does it? Keep drinking the Bane kool aid.

Carol, Bane was never a cop. He is and always has been a glorified paper pusher. What record? The only time his feet hit the streets is to walk from the office to his car or to go to a hug a thug convention in Edgewood. He has taken the Sheriff’s Office back to the seventies with his out dated ideas. Please post some of his great accomplishments for us. You will not need much space.

I wouldn’t call it a Gahler/Bodway ticket…that would imply Bodway is going to be his #2.

All Gahler has said is that Bodway would be coming back as part of his command staff (which I’m assuming will be one of the major spots, not as the under-sheriff.) He also implied in front of the union that he had interviewed both Bodway and Meckley to be his #2 (didn’t say that’s what he interviewed them for, but everyone in the room had that impression), however Meckely corrected that implication once the candidates left. All Gahler talked to Meckley about was that 1) he would be staying in his current position should Gahler win (and explicitly told Meckley that he was not being considered for #2) and 2) Gahler would not hold anything against him that was said or happened during the primary. That’s fine, but I have a real problem with him implying that Meckely is being considered for the #2 spot in an attempt to gain some support within the union when that is not the case.

Gahler also completely ignored the question when explicitly asked if he was bringing Teresa Walters back (other than saying he hadn’t ruled anyone out yet) and instead spent 3 minutes talking about Howard. If she is indeed going to be his #2 I don’t really care, but at least address the question directly.

Regardless, I’m looking forward to the election being over with so that some of this stupid crap will be done for another 4 years.

your right about that. think he stated that he was going to bring somebody in who knows the agency he not getting my vote. theresa, howard what the the difference. really disappointed in bodway u talk about lack of class he should’ ve stayed unretire if he wanted to be a major again.

It makes perfect sense for Gahler to bring someone in who has previous experience with HCSO. All four Republican candidates made a pre-primary election pledge to support whoever the winner would be. These decisions are those people following through on their word. I call that integrity.

Fuzzybluebrain, Is this for real? Please tell me you are not a deputy. If so, I am sure your reports stand out like a sore thumb. Are you capable of putting together an entire sentence? For those who understand this illiterate rant, what is “staying unretire”?

steve bodway you my friend are a tool. Do something else with your life i mean jesus. you lost the primary just bow out gracefully. there an old saying men who love power to much have a hard time giving it up and you my friend just proved it

I look up to Steve hes a very humble man. Not many people would do what Jeff did and Jeff himself should be proud. This entire world needs change what happened to the old days? Im 28yrs old and dont understand why everyone is so full of hate and so mad anymore.

excuse me mam when did I insult someone in writing? And excuse me again miss but NorthHarfordGrad is a screen name someone was using in a previous dagger press I was reading, and um excuse me again miss but Gahler picking Bodway is a good example. So what is your problem with me and my writing. this isnt an english class its peoples comments? This is what I mean people are so quick to jump. Freedom of speech I dont have to use commas and Further more I like Steve Bodway you dont have to care why does it bother you? Am I trying to get you to like him no, am I beating it in your husband Fuzzyblue to like him no Im stating how I feel. Just as your husband did? I like the guy so what you dont have to im not making you nor telling you who to vote for crazy lady. Im merely saying Gahler didnt have to ASK Bodway but he did and thats his buisness, and it sets an example but your to stuck on HATE to see so what you may not care for the two and I dont know what Im letting you suck me in. ill put a comma where i want when i went <"}{|

NO prob : ) I just was amazed that Gahler picked him after they both went up against each other. I just think it sets a good example, it just stricks me as a good thing ya know. You dont see that stuff everyday. I think together they will make a good team. I just would like to talk to whoever NorthHarfordGrad was he was on a previous post and really hurt my feeling not that anyone cares but he really struck a cord with me. Anyway may the best man for the job win. In God we Trust

Fuzzyblue – you are the tool and you are definitely an idiot. Go vote on November 4th while everyone else will be voting on November 2nd. And for the record, the “agency” needs a competent Sheriff leading them and the best man for that position is Jeff Gahler. Back off of fuzzypink!

During the entire campaign, I quietly agreed with everything that you and Terry had been posting on the Dagger. I had my family and friends outside of the agency supporting Bodway.

That being said, Gahler should have given more information to the unions and the public about his picks for Warden and Chief Deputy. 4 years ago Sheriff Bane told us there wasn’t anyone at the jail qualified to lead the Detention center into the 21st century. Yet he promoted our then Major to Warden and promoted an old buddy of his to Asst. Warden. 4 years later we are still stuck in a 1970 mentality.

If Gahler had said at the union meeting that Bodway would be coming on as Chief Deputy or Warden, he would have had my support. However, he skirted around those issues with typical, canned, political, bull shit responses. Not to mention the alleged (I wasn’t there) lie he made to the LEO union about Meckly. For all we know, Gahler’s change could just be, “If you support my philosophy,” you will still have a job. Allot like Sheriff Bane did 4 years ago.

If you were still in the agency, would you roll the dice and say a prayer or stick with what you have despite how broken it may be? I don’t agree with all of the changes our Sheriff has made. I matured in an agency that was paramilitary. The open door policy has irked me. I actually could go on, and on about the changes he has made that bother me, though he hasn’t taken any money from me in a time where the county has struggled and has been furloughing its employees.

Picking the lesser of 2 evils seems to be the first thing on my mind. I hope that God gives Bodway the strength to run for Sheriff in

I was there and heard what Gahler said about Lt. Meckley and don’t for a second think he was lying or has lied at any point in his comments. I do think he could have been more clear and I wish Meckley would have taken the time to ask Jeff to clarify his comments instead of sitting there for an hour. In short, you note a 100% lie from Bane and an alledged lie from Gahler, but you stick with the one with the one you are certain lacks integrity. No wonder we are in the shape we are in.

Well since Gahler is obviously better than Bane, he will get my vote but I still wish he would confirm or deny Teresa Walters role in his command staff. As for Bodway in his staff, I am neither impressed or disappointed. No matter what happens with the election I know for sure that the deputies will roll with the punches and still provide amazing service to the county.

Since Gahler is obviously better than Bane he will have my vote however I still wish he would confirm/deny Teresa Walters role in his command staff. As for him picking Bodway to be in his command staff I am neither impressed nor dissapointed. No matter what happens with the election I do know for sure that the deputies will roll with the punches and continue to provide excellent service to the county.

I’m skeptical of elected officials especially these days, however this Gahler/Bodway alliance looks like it has real promise. Also encouraged that Jack Meckley will be continuing on. Lots of good cops with some solid policing ideas in common. Harford County may have a real opportunity to enact some effective policing especially in the southern part of the County.

It will take a miracle for Jesse Bane to rise from the ashes. This plays right into Gahler’s hands. Gahler is a conservative republican that ran on a platform of Accountability, Hard Work, and Fiscal Responsibility. Why would a Democratic Police Labor Union that has had its run of the Police Department for four years vote differently.

Good comment Phoenix,
These guys want you to believe that all of the deputies and correctional officers are against Bane. Well, BS, the majority are for him. Only the whiners aren’t, and he doesn’t need their support anyway.
Carl Marx, what is your statement with that name?

No they are backing Bane to keep Howard out, I guess they would rather have four more years of a do nothing like Bane then have a person back with axes to grind. Just think Union members, four more years of micro managing and kissing the bad guys asses. Have fun.

Gahler is a conservative republican that has a law enforcement reputation of Accountability, Hard Work, and Fiscal Responsibility. Why would a Democratic Police Labor Union that has had its run of the Police Department and liberal Jesse Bane for four years vote differently?

“If we don’t prevail in this election we will lose the reputation that we have, and in the future when we try to get raises and go before the council with various issues we will not have the same leverage”.

Picked this up in the Harford Mall today Taxpayers. That sums it up – Union Thug Leverage for Votes.

You didn’t pick that up in the Harford mail. I know where you received it. And it is sickening that our union brethren would betray their brothers by making private memo’s public. Regardless of who you support or don’t like, certain things just aren’t done. This is one of them. You don’t deserve a badge, Or the person that gave you the literature doesn’t, if that is the case.

And for the record I could care less who wins. I work the road, and don’t deal with the Brass anyway. Been a cop for 13 years and know the ins and out of doing my job. Regardless of who is elected I’m going to continue to go after the bad guys and give the taxpayers what they deserve. I just want this election to be OVER so we can get back to busness

Baltimore sun reporting that the deputies union and correctional officers union have endorsed Bane. Are these real deputies and correctional officers doing the voting. If they are, what’s all the talk about unhappy deputies?

Our so called “whining” might just be because of how the County is being run by the current Sheriff. If the Sheriff was doing a “good” job then there would nothing to complain about. For instance you find me one person that has complained about Kunkel( besides yourself i would imagine), and i’ll find five that praised him.

Gahler is a conservative republican that ran on a platform of Accountability, Hard Work, and Fiscal Responsibility. Why would a Democratic Police Labor Union that has had its run of the Police Department for four years vote differently.

Unions also support Obama and O Malley – why not Jesse OBane as well. 3 Big Tax and Spend Liberals.

Carl, are you the former Carlmarx? Now the tune has changed. Now that Bane has gotten the unions support, you guys want to tell everyone that you knew he was going to get their vote because he is a liberal. The buzz around here for weeks has been that the deputies did not support him. Now, do you want to deal in facts or your made up crap?

Who is you guys. I’m Carl from the Steel Mill. I’ve seen Unions strong arm management time and time again. Read Rivethead by Ben Hamper and educate yourself. Clearly the Deputies Union plays Jesse Bane like a puppet. We’ll see when 140,000 voters decide versus the 100 or so Union Boys that don’t want their World rocked.

Our so called “whining” might just be because of how the County is being run by the current Sheriff. If the Sheriff was doing a “good” job then there would nothing to complain about. for instance you find me one person that has complained about Kunkel, and i’ll find five that praised him.

Bane was smart enough to create very nice admin jobs for both of the union presidents and then they were in his pocket. Now they tell their member how great it is and less than 30% of them come out to vote most of them out of fear of being messed with one way or the other. It’s bad business all the way around…

Roadhouse,
Let me Give you some background on the K9, since you obviously have no clue. The dog was recieved through grant money. A grant that Gividen applied for. The grant was awarded, however, the Sheriff stated that he could not pull a man off of the road at that time to be a full time handler. Patrol was thin. Gividen offered several options before offering to take the dog himself. There was an active list for K9. Gividen suggested to give the dog to the next person in line but allow that officer to stay in patrol, and when man power was back up move him into the unit. Very sensible concept. The Sheriff said he couldn’t lose the Deputy to extended training. He also asked to have a present K9 handler take the dog and be a dual handler, also a common thing in police work. Denied again. SO, in order to not lose the grant money and the dog, Gividen offered to take the K9 himself. He is not a part of manpower for the road and he is the Sgt that is in charge of the K9 unit anyway. So there was no trickery or under-handed acts in him getting the dog. If they had pulled from the list it would have never been an issue.

Roadhouse, What Gividen tried to do with the dog was the right thing to do. The last K-9 supervisor that had a dog when I was there was John Cavanaugh, since then the supervisor did not have a dog and was just an admin spot. The training is 16 weeks or it was at one time. The dog can be given to a prior handler who can just go to training for a short time and then hit the streets. If it had not been an election year I am sure one deputy would not have been missed for this training. A good idea by Gividen, and once again micromanaged by Jesse Bane.
Gividen is a good guy, he is the head of a union ran by SEIU, they do what they are told and support who they are told.

40 million capital project that is about to be finished but the current detention center is approx. 15 officers short on staffing. The sheriffs office will need to hire approx. 70 deputies in the very near further and none of the positions are posted on monster or in the news media .. Does not sound like sound management to me!!!!0

knowledgeable, I don’t know what point you are making. I supported kunkel, so what. The story of the HCSO is the same. Deputies have
cliques, and hope that the candidate they support is better or they can get influence and rank from supporting said. Retirees come out of the woodwork to get a retirement job, and the wanna be’s are rampant. If you served in the military, you wouldn’t dream of this stuff. But, as a sheriff’s deputy, you have the right to think that you can do the job, or know someone who can do the job better. I am sure that Mr. Gahler is a fine man, but what does he know about crime? The MSP should be the Maryland Highway Patrol. What does he know about budgets? As a MSP commander, I can guarantee that he doesn/t know or understand how the County Council and the County Executive are going to be making those money
decisions, even though he might have his own ideas. The bottom line is that Bane holds the job, and others want it. That,my friend, is the histoy to ghe HCSO. If you are a deputy, do your duty and stop whining, the same I would say to a person in the military. The HCSO is to protect and serve the citizens of Harford County, not to cater to the disgruntled who think they know better than their superiors. If Bane wins again, which I think he will, I hope you move to Baltimore City, since you don’t have the loyalty to support your superiors.

Bane promised during the last election that he would change things then He then promoted a staff member who has a very colorful personnel file and been suspended in the past for falsifying pay and leave documents to the rank of Captain. Then he promoted a then Major who actively campained against him who had by passing out bumper stickers and other items from his desk at the agency in support for the canidate Bane had just defeated to the Rank of warden. Again not sound leadership from a libility stand point…

Statman, when I looked at your figures I thought it would be interesting to perform my own OBJECTIVE comparison and immediately pulled out my handy-dandy Uniform Crime Report Books that everyone has on their bookshelves. The FBI measures the crime rate in a jurisdiction by analyzing the Part I crimes which are: Murder, Rape, Robbery, Aggravated Assault, B & E, Larceny/Theft, M/V Theft. It is funny how you only used Murder and Rape in your analysis, but, I guess it is understandable when you are trying to spin the numbers. Anyway, I found that for the time period 2004 through 2006 there were 17,587 Part I Crimes. When the same analysis was performed for 2007 through 2009 there were 17,476 Part I Crimes. Statman; Propaganda Man; North Harford Grad; whoever you are, this is a decrease of 111 Part I crimes, a .6% decrease from the current period under Bane’s leadership when compared to the past sheriff’s term.
If you want to perform your own comparisons the statistics are as follows:
2004-2006: Murder: 14, Rape: 111, Robbery: 609, Aggravated Assault: 1,822, B&E: 3,063, Larceny: 10,759, M/V Theft: 1,209 = 17,587
2007-2009: Murder: 18, Rape: 176, Robbery: 685, Aggravated Assault: 1,817, B&E: 3,061, Larceny: 10,598, M/V Theft: 1,121 = 17,476
Thought you might be interested in giving a more truthful comparison with your next submission.

Please open your eyes Captain Gahler. Can’t you see that Howard Walter is playing you like a fool. You have worked to hard in your career to be remembered as Howard’s stooge. Distance yourself as far away as you can now and dispel any fear that Howard’s wife Theresa Walter will in anyway be involved in your command. Mend fences with Lt. Moore and you may have a chance. Howard controlled and ruined Sheriff Goldings command and that would be what he would do to yours. It is not to late to get rid of the Howard influence.

I can assure you that when Jeff Gahler is the Sheriff that he will be running the Sheriff’s Office. I have known Jeff very well for many many years and would trust him with my children. His vision for the Sheriff’s office will be carried out with whoever he employees or they will be quickly unemployed.

I find it disheartening that people like you who really don’t know Jeff have such a strong opinion on his future actions.

Charlotte, there are others who feel the same as you and who are also very familiar with the details of this campaign. FH Mom shame on her for what? Not saying what you and the others want to hear? Also, the people of this county are not electing a good babysitter, they are hiring a sheriff!

Dear FH Mom,
You seem to not understand. I am trying to stop Capt. Gahler from making a really poor decision, by including the Walter’s in his future aspirations. When Capt. Gahler first entertained pursuing the position as Sheriff he originally had selected State Police Lt. More for his second in command. Howard Walter gets involved in the campaign and Bullied Capt. Gahler into removing Lt. More who was Gahler’s long time friend and co-worker, from consideration. Gahler has been told repeatedly by members of the Police Community to loose the Walter Association. Gahler is showing weakness by not considering the recommendations of so many law enforcement professionals and being led by the nose by Walter.

We need a Sheriff that will evaluate the facts and not be pushed around by a SELF SERVING DINOSAUR. He needs to lose the Walter connection now and show some self assertiveness if he has any hope in this election. Walter ruined it for Norm Cochran and is killing all of Gahler’s chances. He is a good man – but needs to wake up NOW !!!!

I talked to Jeff today and he said he certainly doesn’t have anyone on his campaign committee named Charlotte. So I’m not sure where you are getting your information from. Whoever it is – they are misleading you.

Phoenix – Looks like the Voters have lost their interest in Jesse Bane & the UNION. Bad enough Bane promotes Hug and Thug policies in Edgewood. Now we have thug like leveraging of our tax dollars. Pathetic…

From Don Gividen – Harford County Deputy Sheriff’s Union President (Oct. 11, 2010)
“If we don’t prevail in this election we will lose the reputation that we have, and in the future when we try to get raises and go before the council with various issues we will not have the same LEVERAGE”.

RetireCop, If you are one of our retirees, than you know that Gahler offers us our only chance at being saved from four more years of Banes mismanagement and tyranny. Why don’t you do the right things for your brothers in blue!

Dear Priceless. I am a retired deputy. Do you think the Sheriff’s Office needs Howard or Teresa back? Were you there when Howard was still working? I was. I would support them if Jeff would make Steve is number two, but he can not seem to be honest about who is going to name. Have no idea why it is such a big secret. I do not trust Jeff…. And priceless, when I retired my brothers in blue were not there for me, the Union I was a member of did nothing for me so please don’t push the brothers in blue crap at me okay.

You are a real whinner… Life must have really treated you poorly cause you sound like one miserable piece. All you do is knock a guy who had the balls to run for Sheriff and win the primary. Gahler now has the support of Ehrlich, Kunkel, Bodway, Sheets, and Meckley and all you can mention is Howard Walter.

Statman, when I looked at your figures I thought it would be interesting to perform my own OBJECTIVE comparison and immediately pulled out my handy-dandy Uniform Crime Report Books that everyone has on their bookshelves. The FBI measures the crime rate in a jurisdiction by analyzing the Part I crimes which are: Murder, Rape, Robbery, Aggravated Assault, B & E, Larceny/Theft, M/V Theft. It is funny how you only used Murder and Rape in your analysis, but, I guess it is understandable when you are trying to spin the numbers. Anyway, I found that for the time period 2004 through 2006 there were 17,587 Part I Crimes. When the same analysis was performed for 2007 through 2009 there were 17,476 Part I Crimes. Statman; Propaganda Man; North Harford Grad; whoever you are, this is a decrease of 111 Part I crimes, a .6% decrease from the current period under Bane’s leadership when compared to the past sheriff’s term.
If you want to perform your own comparisons the statistics are as follows:
2004-2006: Murder: 14, Rape: 111, Robbery: 609, Aggravated Assault: 1,822, B&E: 3,063, Larceny: 10,759, M/V Theft: 1,209 = 17,587
2007-2009: Murder: 18, Rape: 176, Robbery: 685, Aggravated Assault: 1,817, B&E: 3,061, Larceny: 10,598, M/V Theft: 1,121 = 17,476
Thought you might be interested in giving a more truthful comparison with your next submission.

Thanks for providing more data that “materially” shows that Jesse Bane has really done absolutely nothing to improve the Crime Statistics of Harford County. Let me recap what others including yourself have shown. Bane has increasd the Operating Budget over 40% – approximately $19 Million from $44 Million to $63 Million without improvong the Crime Statistics of the County.

Aberdean, You are right, but everyone in law enforcement know there are person crimes and property crimes. Everyone knows that person on person crime, murder, rape, robbery and agg. assault are far more egregious and damaging to a community that auto theft and larceny. The numbers are there (and here: (Meadows/Golding – 2556/Bane – 2696) that show we have been subjected to a 5.5 percent increase in violent crime under the current administration’s watch. Time for a change is now!

William, no problem for your somewhat unbiased perspective and we will have to agree to disagree about a change in leadership. Bane is doing just fine in my book which is supported by this comparison. This reduction in crime is definitely something that Bane should be proud of, especially in light of the poor economy. The comparison that I did before is based on how the FBI looks at crime as a whole in a jurisdiction and what crimes they select as “quality of life indicators.” Again, the Part I Crimes are defined as: Murder, Rape, Robbery, Aggravated Assault, B&E, Larceny/Theft, M/V Thefts – they are defined by the FBI, not me. It is common knowledge that the criminals committing the burglaries, M/V thefts, etc. have already committed a violent crime in their past or are likely to progress to the violent crimes status unless caught. The ones I’ve interacted with definitely aren’t thinking about the different categories of violent and non-violent crimes when they are caught. They are only concerned about getting enough money through theft to support their drug habit and they will normally do just about anything to keep their fix alive.
To add more clarity to my post let’s get into more detail about how the crime rate is determined by the FBI. In order for objective comparisons to be made of different jurisdictions with different population sizes you need to get them all on a level playing field. The FBI accomplishes this by taking the total number of Part I crimes, averaging in the population of a jurisdiction, then multiplying by 100,000. This figure is referred to as a jurisdictions crime rate. I thought it would be interesting to use the crime rate equation to provide even more objectivity to the previous Harford County comparison. In raw number terms the actual difference between 2004-2006 and 2007-2009 is 111, a .6% decrease in Part I crimes under Bane’s leadership. When you factor in the population growth between the two periods, the crime rate during the former period (2004 – 2006) is found to be 7,515.8. The average population of 234,000 was used for that comparison. The crime rate for the latter period (2007 – 2009) is found to be 7,221.5. The average population of 242,000 was used for that comparison.
By factoring in the crime rate, the 111 (.6%) reduction in Part I crimes is widened even further to 294.3, or a 3.9% reduction of Part I crimes between the time frames compared. Again, this reduction is in Bane’s favor.
I then used the crime rate equation for your comparison: Meadows/Golding: 2556 (2004 – 2006), Bane: 2696 (2007-2009). The crime rate is found to be 1092.3 for the former and 1114.05 for the latter. Your 5.5% increase is now actually reduced to a 1.9% increase in the categories that you classified as violent crimes.
Doing the numbers quickly while watching the game so hopefully they’re correct. Go Ravens!

“If we don’t prevail in this election we will lose the reputation that we have, and in the future when we try to get raises and go before the council with various issues we will not have the same leverage”.

Picked this up in the Harford Mall today Taxpayers. That somes it up – Union Thug Leverage for Votes.

I think Bane has done the best he can with the resources given and ask nearly any deputy working today and Bodway would be last on their list of people to run their department! I’m voting Bane for this election!

Then it is probably a good thing that Bodway did not win the Primary. Since it is down to Gahler and Bane, I’ll take Gahler’s fiscally responsible leader over the “hug a thug” policing practiced by Bane. For those who don’t know, “hug a thug” is the nickname Bane’s deputies call him beind his back.

Aberdean, good work. My objection to this site is that people using it distort the truth and facts. Statman is another of those who picks out what supports his beliefs, and would like to tell everyone else that they ignore facts. As you said his facts mean little to nothing. Thank you.
One more thing,,,
Crime doesn’t give a damn how much we pay in taxes, or any other economic indicator. The choice is clear. Do you want to live in Baltimore? I would ask the people labeled fiscal conservatives one question:
Where would you cut the spending in the Sheriff’s Office, and please be specific. I think we could all learn from your wisdom.

hotstuff, you sound like a kind-hearted person and I think it’s clouding your judgment on this issue. The problem with Bane doing “the best he can” (and that’s debatable in and of itself) is that his best isn’t good enough. If you go to the bank and hand the teller a withdrawal slip for $100 and they hand you a receipt showing your account balance decreased by $100 along with $80 in cash are you goanna say to yourself, “Well, he did the best he could” and go skipping out the door? No need to answer.
Harford County needs to a sheriff better than Bane do the best THEY can. I hope you’ll do some more research and make a better choice than you plan to now come election day.

Hot stuff you have no clue about any of this. Why is it liberals like Bane complain they just can not do their job because they lack the proper resources? He can not manage his resources that is the problem. Time to end the Bane era, time to let the cops be cops again and stop pandering to the criminals. Bane would not know a crime if it came up and bit him on his ass, he would have to call someone to come and tell him what was going on.

Howard and Meadows had many girl friends during their there time one of the darkest in the history of the HCSO. Joe’s girlfriend had her own parking spot marked next to the Col.’s a records manager that somehow was approx $90,000 a year. She got mad when the sheriff would not do anything more for her so she turn over some of the e-mails to the feds and out the door he went. I guess Howard’s girl out at the Jail didn’t want to go public with all the special treatment she had from him. She is still in a great position. Nothing has changed with Bane he kept most of Howard and Joe’s crew in the same assignments they have had for the past 10 years. Jeff must changes some things as soon as he comes in the door.

David Roadhouse,
I would ask you the same thing that I have been asking repeatedly and none of your group will answer: tell us all what you would cut in the Sheriff’s budget, and please be specific. Unless you answer that, you really have nothing to say, I can blame deputies for not stopping crime, and we both know it is a bigger problem than that. Please answer my question.

The Monster: I guess you are relatively new to this website because several of us have repeatedly answered the same question, just perhaps not under this article. The first thing that needs to be done is an immediate and major restructuring of his command staff. When Bane took office he made 5 additional captains. Since they had nothing to command, he created specialty units. Each unit has a captain, lieutenant and any number of sergeants and corporals below. There are groups of supervisors for Criminal Investigation Division, Special Investigations Division, Gang and Violent Crimes Division–is it necessary to have a captain for each unit as they are all criminal units? In Bane’s world it is. The juvenile division has a captain with only one deputy under him! That is l:l supervisor to employee ratio. The ratio is often at 2:1 in other specialty units. No wonder Bane complains that he doesn’t have enough deputies on the road–he put them all behind desks! The agency is way too top heavy. The agency has way too many specialized units. They agency has way too many employees who were hired without going through “the process” as set forth in the sheriff’s owm policy and procedures manual. There are too many “charity cases” who literally, and I mean this in the true sense of the word-THEY LITERALLY DO NOTHING. However, they do collect a salary and receive benefits. In the central records division, there are 3 shift supervisors, a supervisors manager, and of course, lieutenants and captains to supervise them. There are 3 crime analysts getting paid more than the deputies who put their lives on the line every day, and there is also a crime analyst supervisor making as much money as her husband who is a sergeant. That is just the tip of the iceberg. Anyone reading this should be thoroughly disgusted at how our tax dollars are being wasted. Remember this the next time you hear Bane whining how he needs more deputies.

Watcher thinks he wins. Take for example the Sergeant and his Crime Analyst wife who is a civilian and both who have been here over 15 years so they are at the maximum pay for their classification. Go to http://www.harfordsheriff.org, then to employment, then to salary, then to classification listing. Page 3, Law Enforcement Analyst $37.88 per hour. Page 5, Sergeant, $38.16 per hour. Look around at some of the civilian salaries. We put our lives on the line every night, in the heart of Edgewood, and look how much less we are getting paid than these non-law enforcement civilians who sit behind desks on their fat asses. All they have to do is kiss Bane’s ass and get paid quite handsomely for doing so. I’m not doing any more of your research, do it yourself and you’ll see that all of my outrageous claims are indeed proveable.

so how long have you worked for the Sheriff’s Office? When you have someone who’s worked for the agency for 10, 15, 20 years, then yes, they will be a little bit higher in their pay classification. Are civilians not supposed to get pay raises? Are only the deputies supposed to get pay raises because they have a gun and go out on calls? Well let me tell you something, you’re wrong. The civilians employees are the backbone of the agency. They deserve their paychecks just like anyone else in the agency.

David Roadhouse, You’ve obviously got some of your “facts” wrong with what you say about the organization of the Sheriff’s office, specifically with regards to the Central Records Unit. There are three shifts, each with a shift supervisor. There is one Records Manger that oversees them. The Records Manager answers to the Captain of the Administrative Services Division. This Captain oversees several units. There is simply a chain-of-command.

david roadhouse: You are absolutely 100% on the mark! You forgot to mention that the Sheriff’s Office has historically turned hundreds of thousands of approved budget dollars back into the County General Fund when nearing end of each fiscal year. This happens year after year.

Monster: There’s no way for anybody to tell you right off the cuff what they would cut from the Sheriff’s Office operational budget without first completing a line-item analysis of the entire budget.

Monster & Phoenix: Any monies that are budgeted to the Sheriff to hire Correctional Officers should have been there. No one can take that back after it is approved and the fiscal year has started. Did you ever stop to think that it may have been transferred to another Sheriff’s Office account? Maybe they bought lollipops for the inmates.

Monster,
You gave me a good laugh. Anyone who knows me knows I always (and I do mean always) say exactly what I think. Now something rude or mean I may/may not say. Just yesterday while getting together with my mother and sister my mother described me as “having a sharp tongue that will cut someone up and serve them for dog food” while my sister emphatically agreed. I’ve never been patronizing and don’t plan to start now.

My example was intended simply to identify flawed thinking in a simple and basic manner. People generally aren’t easily forgiving of the errors or incompetence of others in day-to-day issues they consider of personal importance that are “small matters” , so why such an overly gracious and forgiving attitude towards incompetence and error of a magnitude that is carried out by Bane (that being my opinion). It’s obvious that hostuff doesn’t think Bane’s done so great a job because he/she is making excuses for the man. The comment seemed to me to be too kind and likely said by someone who is very kind-hearted in nature. That’s it.

You’re right, I will have my chance to vote. I’m looking forward to it.

During the current administration, nothing really has been accomplished. I hear almost every deputy complain about the current administration, its lack of decision making, lack of command structure, lack of its use of resources and manpower, the micro management etc. I have seen laziness, or is it perhaps the deputies feel they don’t have the backing of the command staff and sheriff, because they do call him HUG A THUG behind his back, almost everyone does…everyone! Citizens have his phone number and can just walk right in and complain. To run a para military organization with a command structure this can not be the case. This is not the Sheriff’s job. There is a process, it works and it is time tested and proven. A law enforcement agency can not run itself by committee and be effective, it does not work, and there is much of this that is going on.

I think the main reason the Union supported Bane is fear of the unknown. I have heard it stated, “at least with Bane we know what we have” Really? After four years of complaining. As for Teresa Walters, she was pretty good while she was here, and made her own choices. Howard isn’t coming back.

I think that Gahler will bring back a much needed chain of command, plus new ideas. Jeff was a cop who was on the streets. He has made arrests, he has been there with you before. Joe Meadows was an outsider, he turned out to be one of the best Sheriff’s ever. He brought the HCSO into the future, the public didn’t have his cell number, he utilized the chain of command and so did all of those under him. It worked. Not to say he didn’t have a personal issue of his own, but that’s not what this is about.

As for specialized units, there are some that can be gone. Some need realigned and refocused and given a mission again. The HCSO is totally top heavy, who can deny that? The time is now for change.

Phoenix, Please provide us a link to this endorsement or anything that supports your claim. I think you are lying and that although not part of his campaign staff, Moore is supporting Gahler or has decided to sit this out since he is now in command of the local barrack. Please back up your statement for us so that everyone here does not think you are attempting to mislead by being a liar.

That is why I asked for a link OR ANYTHING ELSE. Come on, anything else. Where did you get the basis for your statement from? Nevermind, I know and we all know that obviously there is nothing else but your BS.

Hey Meadows made a bad personal discision. If thats all you have then you dont have much. I liked the man for what he did for law enforcement. He had command structure, brought this agency out of the dark ages and into the future with equipment, manpower, morale etc. Was he arrogant? Yes, but pretty much all men in power are. It just is the way it is. And like the poster said, this isnt about Meadows.

Meadows was the sheriff. He is supposed to follow the law and not break it. Maybe that doesn’t mean much to you, but it does to me. You admit that he was arrogant also. How do you respect a leader who wears a uniform with decorations that he didn’t earn, and uses the “F” word in public? I keep seeing that Bane is accused of not making an arrest. How many did Meadows make? I find it interesting that you call this character one of the best sheriffs. It tells me that I don’t respect what you stand for or say.

Yes, but if you take the 100+ who don’t think enough of Bane to vote for him and add that to the 38 for Gahler, you get a lot of people who want Bane gone. Also, if you take the truth and change it, as you did above, you get a liar who can’t be trusted. Time to change your username because you are one Phoenix that will not be rising from the ashes.

I met Jeff Gahler and had a lengthy discussion and have to agree with Carl. He seems like the real deal. His brochure certainly highlights an outstanding citizen. I believe Carl when he says Gahler is a conservative republican that has a sound law enforcement reputation of Accountability, Hard Work, and Fiscal Responsibility.

Is it just me or do these Gahler people all say the same thing “accountability, hard work, fiscal responsibility.” I guess they have nothing solid to point at since he failed to gain the support of both unions and crime is down .?

I am confused as to why you think accountability, hard work and fiscal responsibility are bad things or that you don’t know that union’s do not base their support on what is good for the community, they base it on what is in it for them.

Gahler – reduce costs to include the unnecessary use of overtime,
reducing specialized units that have great hours and put these people back on patrol,
implementing accountability and restore authority to supervisors and commanders.

Regardless of who wins the Sheriff’s election, we need to focus on improved community policing and the investigative prowess of the HCSO. Its time to create a regional county violent crimes task force comprised of Cecil, Harford, Baltimore, MDSP, Fed agencies to address violent crimes and gang activity. Enough law enforcement squabbling over turf. Tomorrow’s leadership better have the ability to handle this without having a temper tantrum in the process.

Attention Priceless and Rainman!!!
The HCSO has a policy in the Conduct Section prohiting association with people of qyestional charater or CONVICTED FELONS. On Candidate Gahlers Facebook page there are SEVERAL pictures of him with Convict Ed Norris. On has his arm around the other’s back. If you guys call Bane “Hug-a-Thug” then Gahler must be a Felonious Fondler. Also breaking our conduct rules even before being elected. What will he do IF he is elected.
Signed Phoenix aka The Flamer!

Wow. There are 18 reasons why that is the dumbest thing I’ve ever read. That says something because I read a lot of Dagger blogs. First of all, just like in high school English class, spelling counts. Next, I can’t believe that you tried to make a parallel by calling Gahler a “Felonious Fondler.” I’m sure if everyone’s skeletons were out of the closet then you wouldn’t be able to go to your own family Christmas party because there maybe someone of “questionable character” there. We wouldn’t want you to violate that policy too, would we? I’m not a big fan of Gahler or Bane… But I like Ed Norris along with 90% of Harford County.

Thanks for letting us know. I saw Sheriff Bane speaking with Ed Norris at Main Street Cigar on Saturday and then Sheriff Bane (I guess breaking conduct rules AFTER being elected huh?) and Jeff Gahler took a picture with Ed Norris. So what you are saying is that Sheriff Bane has violated the policy of the HCSO and you obviously won’t be voting for him and we should all call him Hug a feleonious fondler. Not beleiving me??? Ask Deputy Waltman who was there too! Oops, more violations of HCSO policy???? Please let us know when the Sheriff takes action on Waltman and himself for hanging with Ed.

There was an event promoting some new Ed Norris Cigar. I see Gahler in there all the time. I think he even has a humidor there. I assume Bane stopped by to participate in the Norris event. Can’t wait to see the fireworks since Phoenix has made it so clear that there are several people there who violated HCSO Policy.

Where are you little Phoenix? You were very worried about what Gahler would do next if elected, so please tell us what Bane will do since he is already there??

Phoenix- Where are you? Everyone is waiting to hear from you and hear how the investigation is progressing against the Sheriff and Waltman for the clear violation of HCSO rules and regs that you were so kind to point out to everyone.

I am not Law Enforcement so I have no authority to conduct investigations. I will not post anything else until after the elections. All i will say is vote for whoever you feel is the best man and we will see late night on November 2nd. I will post one more time to congratulate the winner whoever it turns out to be and then I will fade away goodbye for now. Remember to vote because if you dont vote dont complain.

My goodness, that is a big change from your first post. Sorry that I assumed you were in law enforcement. Not too many people know enough to quote HCSO policy without being employed there, but if you say so I guess some will believe you.

I know a guy that retired from the HCSO. He went back to work a short time after that for the HCSO. He returned to work as a volunteer where he used his knowledge of the agencies computer systems to save the HCSO thousands of dollars in overtime money. He worked about 100 days for the agency and at the awards dinner that year he watch as numerous volunteers recieved letters of appreciation for mush less commitment and he was not recognized. Bane has this reputation as being this caring person but anyone who has work there and not been in his crew can tell you otherwise. Bane can delagate athority but you cant delagate responcsibility. I’m sure Jeff will take better care of his employees and retired staff then Bane…

Stefano Dimero,
Can I ask you, who in the hell are you calling a criminal, I work at the Sheriff’s Office and I love my job. I AM NOT A CRIMINAL, Please dont say that you did not say that,see below. I have no idea what type of job you have and really dont care. BUT DONT TALK TRASH ABOUT MINE !!! I am so tired of people like you talking out of your ass without having any idea of what we do. Rembember one thing WE are the 1st one you will call when you need help. So get a life.

I have to defend Stefano this time. Obviously it was not you the statement references unless you have been stealing things like perhaps someone else is suspected of having done who does work for directly for the Sheriff? Either way the statement is true except it should say Gahler and Bane pose for pictures with Ed Norris, Bane employs suspected criminals (as far as i know there has been no arrest YET).

DGQ,
I wouldn’t support Stefan Dimero or Rainman, or any of the others who wants to turn a discussion into a high school argument by using cute terms and accusations. Anyone in power has had people that they have appointed that have problems that are embarrasing. How is dealt with is how we should measure Bane’s administration. I have followed the Sheriff’s Office for a long time, and some past lawbreakers in the department have not always been punished as they should. These were other Sheriffs. Anyone, especially HCSO employees know exactly what I am talking about. It upsets me as a citizen of this county, that we have people calling other people “flamers” in an attempt to disredit them. Grow up. As far as Stephan Dimero is concerned, I stand by my statement. I have seen numerous of his responses and I would name them all as crap.

Smega3, I am saying what I believe. I am not in the union or a union thug. People like you would rather deal with personalities than you would facts-true facts. I get that there are deputies that don’t like Bane, and I get that there are dinosaurs who don’t want to spend a penny. You and your friends keep up your rhetoric, and you may find that some of the benefits that you are now receiving may on the block, since you think too much money is being spent. Jessee Bane conducts himself in a fine manner with the Harford County public, probably your bosses. Quit whining and do your job and the responsibility that goes with it. You took an oath, follow it.

How can you say this, I am not a CRIMINAL. I HAVE NEVER TAKEN ANYTHING . Maybe you should look in at yourself. I know you are a Deputy/Police Officer by the dumb name you use. You know there are times that things like this are going to happen. It can happen in any department and it has. But let me ask you DFQ when a past Trooper took money, did you say that all of the State Police are criminals. No you more and likley you did not, So if you hold Sheriff Bane at fault, then why dont you hold your Mr. Gahler at fault for the actions of this Trooper. No you just want to run your mouth, thats all. Why dont you stand up and defend your good name and the good name of the Harford County Sheriff’s Office. It is no ones fault for what any one person does. But the person who did the act. So stop and think before you help butt heads like this Stefan Dimero.
By no way is this to slam the fine Troopers in the State Police,I only used this just as an exp.

Bane promoted someone not really qualified, i.e. (Forwood) to the number 3 in rank of the Sheriff’s Office. Forwood is arrested or charged with Felony Theft. Poor Judgement everywhere – that is the difference.

I have a question for all of you Bane lovers. Bane fired a deputy who was injured in the line of duty this past July. This deputy was unable to perform his duties so your dear Bane fired him. This deputy lost his benifits and pay April 1 2010. He was awarded his back pay as of October 1 all the way back to April. No pay from April to October! I want to know if the Major who was suspended pending a criminal investigation by the FBI and Baltimore County Police is still being paid? He can not perform his duties either, I wonder……

Hey retired cop…
I checked case search and no signs of any case on him. And as we all know, unless your charged with a felony, you still collect pay. So as far as I can tell, he is still collecting his pay. Unless…he had been fired. But I do not know if he has been fired.

The union is not really supporting Bane some of them have said that he told them that he did not need them to get elected he did after the last election threw many of those members that worked for his campain under the bus by putting them under the supervision of do nothing command staff that spend most of their day surfing the net and kicked back with theoir feet on the desk

M.E., why do you come on here trying to incite the civilians of Harford County? You understand they have little to no understanding of the LEOBR don’t you? Perhaps you have been gone for such a long time that you have forgotten about the rights that were afforded to you if you had gotten yourself in the jackpot. For those of you that don’t know, Officers/Deputies/Troopers under investigation for a crime get placed on administrative leave with pay pending the outcome of the investigation. Upon being officially charged with a felony the affected member goes on an unpaid suspension pending the outcome of the judiciary process.

More Intel. from my friend that Bane threw under the bus. Did you know he chose a high school drop out that some how got a GED but never went to collage as his Warden. DeHaven spends 4 hours a day out side smoking cigarettes and has spent the last 25 years bad mouthing people he does not like and could not help my friend who has a special needs child that had a difficult time with his duty assignment when he asked for a hardship transfer DeHaven told him to deal with it and my friend was forced to retire. Jackson has had a long term relationship with a many time convicted CDS user seller who lost $300,000 in tax payer funds in a per datum screw up and then suspended for falsifying leave and pay roll documents. He tells me that the only person at the Detention Center that is in the Command staff at the Detention Center that should be there in a guy named Capasso (I think that’s his name). Bane waists millions of tax payer dollars each year. The other day he had 3 retired Deputies at a meeting the Deputies had a combined 85 years loyal service and training and could hit the floor running and save tens of thousands of dollars BE Bane insists on putting them through the same back ground check and interview process that he would a person who never worked a day for the Agency.; Waist Waist Waist

BigBlue you are as dumb as a box of rocks. You have no idea what the hell is going on with Major Forward. Thank god someone on here knowns what what is right. Thank You Dummied up for telling BiGBlue-dummie how it is.

Whats to know? Is the guy number 3 in the Sheriff’s Office, is he getting paid, is he a Home Depot thief, was he promoted by Jesse Bane, was he qualified, is he under investigation, is he brokering a deal?

BigBlue you have no idea what was going on with Major Forward, NONE. He was not arrested or charged, yes under investigation. So maybe you should get off of your ass and call Sheriff Bane and get facts. Also this can and has happened in other departments ALL OVER MARYLAND. So before you run off at the mouth get the facts. If you were ever in Law Enforcement you would know that, you are just another one of them fly by night dummies who run off at the mouth and have no idea what the hell the facts are. I have nothing more to say to you about this. Also I have been called worst by better.

Forwood is guilty and is cutting a deal. Clearly Bane and Craig have somehow stalled the process on Forwood. What normal citizen would be under investigation this long? This is simply politics to stall until after the election. I wonder what other serious issues besides theft are circling Forwood. Game over… Time for integrity in the Sheriff’s office. Visnow, Forwood, Bane – Apples don’t fall far from the tree!

I have to agree with you Superman. It has been a long time, and many believe it is to avoid any of the smallest bit of negative press. Like I said below, the public sees the glorious media spin to the HCSO, not the inside, and they want no bad press especially in time of a election.

My opinion of the Forwood situation. It is being drug out until after the general election to avoid any type of negative press. One may think that it wont make a difference, but in actuality it does make a difference. There are some that will see that and something like that will sway a vote. I am fairly certain that he is getting paid, but that is the standard across the board. Do I agree with it, no, but until he / she is charged then that is what it is. I hope I am wrong about the reason why it is taking so long, but it has taken longer to solve this case than it does to charge and prosecute a homocide It is not fair to other commanders to drag this out, as it puts a lot more work load on them. Someone has to take up the slack of his position.

Tired of this crap,
Congratulations. You identified Big Blue perfectly. All he knows is what he has gleaned from this strand. Of course, he is biased. He is a skinflint that doesn’t want to spend one penny. I told him some time ago that if he gets in trouble, call his banker. His arch enemy is Bane. At least this time, he didn’t repeat himself 10 times. He is a lot of wind.

As I sit back and think about this there seems to be a real eye opener that the general public should take a look at. There must be something really wrong within the agency when:

1. A well respected major (Bodway) of 3 decades resigns as major (retires) mid term to run for Sheriff, because he knows that things are not good. This man brought a well thought out platform that would have benefited everyone. The agency as it stands may be portrayed and spun to the public in a nice media sort of way, but the reality is…shits bad within.

2. A well respected shift Lieutenant (Meckley) remains in his current position and has the biggest balls of anyone to run against his boss, because he is on the streets and knows that stuff isn’t right, things are not getting accomplished, and he wants to make things right for the agency and people who work for the agency and the public. He stuck is neck out to attempt to right the ship that is sinking.

3. Another major (Dennison), retired as well and was named by Meckley to be his Colonel. Wow, that must say something also.

4. Capt. Gahler wins the primary and all of these men are supporting him.

5. The fact that over 100 union votes were either not returned or marked neither for sheriff endorsement says a lot. In my opinion it shows that they do not support the incumbent Bane, yet do not know enough about Jeff Gahler to actually vote for him.

6. The same goes for the corrections union. Many ballots were not returned.

So to the general voting public, please step back and take a look at this. There is a problem within, and it can not be denied.

One of the biggest points of the union vote has already been brought up. “At least we know what we are getting” was a major deciding factor for LE and corrections. With Bane we are certainly top heavy and thug/inmate friendly but the conditions are tolerable. The fear of the unknown, most importantly the Chief Deputy position under Gahler, killed his chances with the officer vote. His close ties with Howard Walter and company only make it worse because the officers know how bad things could get if they are involved.

Terry,
there is no reason that someone running for an important such as sheriff wouldn’t have already done a line item analysis of the budget. Even if they haven’t they still should have some ideas of what they would cut. Mr. Gahler shouldn’t be running if he hasn’t done that.
You may not believe this, but there are a lot of people who you think are emailing in with what you believe is support of the deputies, and want Gahler. They are not. They are teabaggers and don’t want to pay for anything. Some, but not most, are brave enough to say, that deputies have too many perks and benefits, and that they make too much money. I am a conservative, but I am not a stupid idiot who feels this way. Police work is difficult at best, and our citizens need to realize how many recruits it takes to find 50 qualified deputies. But my warning is this, watch these teabaggers because they will be after pensions, vacations, use of cars, etc. next. Some deputies are experiencing frustration with the organization of the HCSO, but let me tell you there are a lot teabaggers who are going after the money. They don’t get the job of deputy. Having said that, I remain committed to Jesse Bane.

Frank Speak,
It should be Frank No Speak. You know nothing about me, and yet make this accusation. That is why people like you are just idiots. NOw I will imitate you:
said just like a skinflint who doesn’t understand or appreciate the services they receive

Monster – By any definition a conservatives wouldn’t approve of 9% increases in property tax, one of the highest local income tax rates in the state and a 40% increase in the Sheriff’s budget in 4 years. Population increase of less than 4,100 people.

Everyone should read the information below and check it out on their own. I did. The facts and figures below are accurate.

MD Uniform Crime Report and the Harford County Budget.

Violent crime from 04-06 to 07-09 is Significantly up

Murders and Rapes are Up!

Arrests are Down!

Yet the Union Contolled Sheriff’s Budget is up over 40% or $19 Million from 2006 to 2010.

you ae repeating earlier information; conservatives have to use their brains. Crime doesn’t give a damn how much property tax we are paying. Fight it or live with it. Bury your money in the back yard too.

You remain committed to Jesse Bane because you like the fact that he buys into your bullshxt of a never ending supply of taxpayer dollars. Those days are over. Pick up a credible newspaper and you’ll see that RHINO’s and Liberal DEMS all over the country have overextended the taxpayer in the search of votes from FEDERAL, STATE, and LOCAL UNIONS. Those days are coming to an end. The days when a cop retirees in his 40’s and starts collecting a fat pension RIGHT AWAY should come to an end.

Frank Speak,
Conservatives have brains. It is good to use those brains. As I said to another of the skinflint pennypinchers, either fight crime or live with it. Crime doesn’t care what we pay in taxes, it needs to be dealt with. Besides, you are not a conservative, you are a teabagger, teabaggers are going to hurt the effort to get rid of liberal Democrats. They already have.

I am no pencil neck and I am not employed by David Craig. You want to get personal? That is how you selfish skinflints operate. Go in a hole with your buddy, Big Blue, or are you Big Blue with one of your many aliases?

Hey Franky boy you too can collect a pension in your 40’s go to an academy strap on some body armor and a firearm and come serve the taxpayers. That is if your not afraid of the boogeyman and bad people out at night.

Joe C.
You are wasting your time with people like this. They take law enforcement and other government services for granted, much like people take military defense for granted. This Frank Speaks is probably another guy by the name of Big Blue- a first class jackass. They don’t care about the public servants, they feel their jobs are cushy and not deservement of their remuneration. For them and other teabaggers, it isn’t about Bane vs. Gahler; it’s let’s cut these lazy ass government employees.

I think just about everyone needs to take a deep breath and step back, especially anyone actually associated with the HCSO (either current deputies or retired) and think about what they’re saying and how they’re saying it.

A lot of these posts from both sides are making the rest of the agency look pretty bad, especially to outsiders. Thank god places like this didn’t exist even a couple of years ago…god only knows what sort of stuff would’ve been said under previous administrations. Some of these posts by current or retired deputies actually make me embarrassed to work here and be associated with those individuals.

I’m a self employed Democratic Taxpayer. I have a small business in Bel Air. I researched some of these postings by referencing the Harford County Budget and the MD Uniformed Crime Report.

As someone who has a vested interest, I find it incredible that Jesse Bane can report in today’s paper that he has a “stagnant” budget. The Harford County Audited Financials are what they are. The HCSO Operatinf expenses were $44 Million in 2006 and Jesse Bane submitted a $63 Million Budget for 2010. These are facts. What Harford County Households or Businesses increased their spending on average 10% a year or 40% for four years?

Generally Crime has remained flat – however viloent crime is definitely Up approximately 10%.

Does the HCSO really expect these types of increases – 10% a year? Based on some of these postings it seems like the Sheriff and some of the Deputies do. Most business owners are tightening belts. The situation is really hard to believe.

“If we don’t prevail in this election we will lose the reputation that we have, and in the future when we try to get raises and go before the council with various issues we will not have the same leverage”.

Picked this up in the Harford Mall today Taxpayers. That somes it up – Union Thug Leverage for Votes.

The only “issues” Gividen has is more money in his pocket. You know the old saying–one bad apple spoils the bunch. This is the problem with our agency–there are too many bad apples because the owner of the apple orchard, Bane, doesn’t care. Thus the rot spreads outward. Most of my coworkers are great people who love their job and are proud to protect and serve. Of course we want our benefits and pay increases, but Gividen, Waltman and others are so greedy and self-serving that it spoils everything. I personally would hope that more regular citizens and not just those associated with law enforcement would read this blog to see just how things really are behind closed doors. And I must chime in about Howard Walter. I worked with the man, don’t like the man, but at least he is up front with his nastiness. You know what you are getting. Bane is devious with a facade that the world sees as caring and compassionate when in fact he is just as bad as Howard. At least Howard has the balls not to hide behind anything. I’ll take my chances with Howard and Gahler any day.

Your friend Jesse Bane should be ashamed of himself. Bane has a bunch of misleading charts at the Harford Mall which try to portray rosie crime stats. The MD Uniform Crime Stats show the real and accuarte picture and the Harford County Budget is up 40% of $19M since Bane took office yet Bane is so dishonest that he calls the budget “stagnant” in the Aegis.

Bane basically promises the Union anything.

From Don Gividen – Harford County Deputy Sheriff’s Union President (Oct. 11, 2010)
“If we don’t prevail in this election we will lose the reputation that we have, and in the future when we try to get raises and go before the council with various issues we will not have the same leverage”.

wow can you believe he said that? Imagine a person who took an office that by its very nature is to insure the rights and working conditions for his people. Then he goes out and encourages his members to spread the word about THEIR ENDORSEMENT (145 vs. 33) so that they can advance in the future. What was he thinking that is crazy. Get real.

Taxpayers are sick of Federal, State, and Local Employees Unions. They are sick of Unions bargaining votes for pay raises. Clearly you are of the mindset – so I don’t find it surprising that you feel like you do.

Hey Gividen, imagine if a Registered Nurse were sleeping on the job while her patient were dying. You think the RN would be fired? Like I said Gividen, Taxpayers are tired on your UNION NONSENSE.

Wow – I was at the mall today and Jesse Bane has the cast of Cacoon working for him. Bane is showing some qtr to qtr stats according to his table workers rather than showing his term in office. Gividen are you giving Bane advice on his campaign. As soon as the Voters find out that you and Bane are hiding the true facts your days are over.

145 vs 33. Huh did anyone ever stop to think what about the 100 that didnt vote. Maybe that 100 does not want either of these nimrods???? The Harford County Police Department is a sick puppy right now. To the Officers that work there and are still working and not hiding, you should be proud of yourselves for what you do, and eventually it will be noticed.

That’s funny, but I think there is only one Nimrod and that is you. You have two people who step up and put their whole life up for scrutiny and then we have you. I bet you are an impressive sort. Please share with us all of your accomplishments in life. I am willing to bet that the best you have is that you were able to log onto the computer and write the above post. Although we all know you will not be sharing, you can just sit there and think about what I am willing to bet is a lackluster list for your life story.

DGQ,
these people are whiners who don’t think that they need to pay for their services; I doubt any of them would qualify to go to a police academy, and if there, probably wouldn’t last. As I said before, these people aren’t about Gahler vs. Bane, they are about trying to destroy benefits for our police, whom they take for granted. This is the difference between a teabagger and a conservative. Conservatives believe that some services are essential and we have to pay for them, want to or not. Teabaggers are lazy thinkers, want to vote all incumbents out, and live in a fantasy world. Do I want to vote O’Malley, Obama, Kratovil out- YOU BETTER BELIEVE IT! But not Bane.

There are only two weeks left until the election and this is my final appeal to Capt. Gahler to come to his senses. He must lose the Walter connection NOW! This is his only chance. The Law Enforcement Community is well aware of the Howard Walter plan to have his wife Theresa in the role as second of command in the Gahler administration. From there she can undermine his leadership and settle personal vendettas as she conspires to one day be the Sheriff.

I have spoken to many Police Professionals who have witnessed first hand preferential treatment afforded to Theresa Walter during her career. Her husband, a formal Colonel, was a strong influence in her receiving treatment not afforded to her co-workers. These things include but are not limited to; being awarded commendations for actions considered “line of duty” for a male officer,and having physical requirements for specialty units be altered to accommodate her abilities. She had no problem in accepting this treatment knowing full well that such treatment was not afforded to all of her co-workers.

Capt. Gahler does not need such a self serving attitude for his second in command. This is a unilateral fear among so many people that would like to consider Capt. Gahler. I am told that she attended a union meeting and clearly heard the concerns of so many about her involvement in Capt. Gahler’s campaign. At any time, she could have dispelled any concerns by articulating to the Union that she would in no way be involved in the campaign, but she clearly did not. This sends a message that she has a very personal agenda.

In closing, I am begging you Capt. Gahler to lose this association with the Walters and bring back Lt. Moore if you have ANY HOPE of pulling this election out. This is your last chance.

Howard was unfair to anyone who was not in his clique and he did not care what it looked like. His wife was always friendly and professional. There are some that would love to see Howard come back so they would be back in do nothing jobs and in his clique playing golf while on the clock and drinking and driving every Friday night at Grumpies…

After seeing the crime statistics, can anyone tell me how Bane can display that crime in Harford County is down? I just cannot get the math right on this one.

I’d also like to point out that all the speculation of Chief Deputy for Gahler is ridiculous. The only person he has identified is Steve Bodway. I think the deputies and the union folks are too paranoid. If you want real change, than stop holding onto your comfort zone with Bane. Bane shouldn’t have a platform for change in the next four years…he should already be doing some of the things he claims he’ll do after the Nov. 2nd election. There aren’t any gray areas here…either you are performing or you are not; no second chances in the next term. There’s a difference between “leadership” and “management”…anyone can manage a budget and allocate resources.

Jeff needs to say something about the Walter’s they distroyed many careers for no other reason but they could. The members of both unions will tell you the only reason they have indorsed Bane is they fear Gahler bring back Howard and him distroying some more Deputies careers. Its not they want Bane so bad is they will do anything to keep Howard and his gang of merry men out of the agency… ( again sorry if there are any spelling or grammer mistakes I don’t have time to worry about a good grade)

Just caught the evening news and it seems there was a joint ATF and Police Meth Lab bust in Fallston. Apparently there was a stash of assault weapons and a Grenade Launcher. I guess they were ready for all out battle with someone. “Grenade Launcher” is that necessary?

THank goodness law enforcement were able to execute the mission without anyone getting hurt. Good Job guys….Meth Labs have no boundaries or socio-economic arenas. It can be made anywhere, and Fallston is a prime area being out of the main thoroughfare of the county. Again GOOD JOB GUYS..that was a huge bust and that stuff is off the streets. Dagger get the details please on the follow-up for possible arrest? Bring these dirtbags to justice.

Another Bane hater. Love that you never cease to slam him. So he’s to blame for all the bad stuff but can’t take any credit for any of the crimes that are solved? Boy, I hope you Repubs get your boy Gahler in there and treat him with the same disrespect.

And I also hope that the next time you call 911, the dispatcher asks if you are a Democrat or a Republican and adjusts the response time accordingly. Oh wait, they would never do that.

Pure BS Ron! A major Methodone bust has taken place in Harford County with the assistance of the ATF. The Feds. A stash of assault weapons and a freaking Grenade Launcher were seized and your response to this news is, is that necessary? Meth Labs have no boundaries or socio-economic arenas. BullSh@t! If this METHODONE bust had taken place along the Rt. 40 Corridor you would be outraged. Your post was so transparent. BS I tell you!

I’m going to go ahead and assume by your rant, that maybe you yourself maybe on “the stuff”. The “grenande launcher” comment was sarcasm in the extent these drug handlers would go to arm themselves. Regardless of where it is, I’m glad it gone. One lab can distribute massive quantities. Do me a favor and swing by the county jail sometime and see what folks look like after about 3 months on rat poison.

I’m sure that by now Capt. Gahler has seen my messages regarding the adverse ramifications of the Walter influence to his campaign. Why is it that Capt. Gahler can not confirm or deny Theresa Walter being involved in his administration as the Chief Deputy? I’m told that he flagrantly avoided and evaded that issue while addressing the Harford County Deputy’s Union.
Furthermore, he continues to be non-committal on this issue to everyone that I have spoken to. This displays lack of leadership and personal fortitude at the highest level. He needs to answer this question candidly, one way or another, if he wants to maintain any creditability as a leader.

Charlotte
He has answered the question over and over. If you would listen you would hear that Howard Walter will have No roll in Jeff Gahler’s Office or decision making. Without saying it – I believe Gahler has indicated that he would fire anyone who might try to carry out policy that is not set by Gahler or the Law’s the HCSO enforces.

No Howard will not but it is their hopes and dreams that Gahler gets elected and selects Teresa Walter as his number 2. Erlich gets elected and names Gahler superintendent of the Maryland State Police then leaving Teresa Walter as the new Sheriff.

Sammy,
Your response is a perfect example of the evasive answers and word games being played by Capt. Gahler and the Walter’s Duo. The object of concern is to wrestle Walter and her involvement as second in command in the Gahler Administration. Capt. Gahler’s campaign continues to avoid a direct answer to the Theresa Walter question by stating that Howard Walter will in no way be involved (physically) in the Gahler Administration. Why can’t you Sammy or the Gahler Campaign commit to a position involving Theresa Walter. Will she or will she not be his Second in Command? Why is it so difficult to receive an honest answer to this particular question? To me, a Gahler Supporter, I see this as blatant deception. Why can’t this question be answered honestly and directly?

However, I can tell you this as FACT. If elected, the Sheriff’s Office will be run under Jeff’s Vision & Planning. Jeff hasn’t required the Walter’s help as he worked and earned his way up the ranks of the State Police. Jeff is a fair and respected leader in the State Police. If elected, Jeff will be a fair and respected Sheriff.

Jeff hasn’t committed parts of two and a half years of his life, his families lives, and his friends lives to this campaign so that he can get elected for the sake of the Walters. Jeff Gahler has sacrificed so that he can make a positive difference to Harford County law enforcement for his family and friends.

Sammy…apparently you are related to Jeff Gahler. Do the Gahlers not have Theresa Walter in their vocabulary? Nobody ever wants to say her name..they just fill in the blank with “Howard” when they don’t want to answer the question. Charlotte clearly said Theresa Walter in her comment, just like the question at the union meeting clearly read Theresa Walter. You too are avoiding the question that is clearly asked. So no Sammy he has not answered the question. I don’t want a Sheriff that can’t answer a simple question.

I’m curious. Isn’t Mrs. walter the Havre De Grace Police Chief? Is there a problem within the ranks of the Havre De Grace Police Department? What is your beef with her? Has she done something to you personally?

Would you please answer the question about Theresa being Second in Command in the Gahler Administration????
This is starting to appear to be a cover-up that rivals Watergate and the Iran-Contra Affair.
Would someone please answer the question TRUTHFULLY & HONESTLY?

Sammy,
Capt. Gahler has been asked hundreds of times by both sides and refuses to commit. The People of this County need a Sheriff that is not afraid to answer this and other questions.
It may interest you to know “Sammy Boy” that I learned recently from a good source that Theresa Walter has asked the powers to be at her current assignment for a contract extension until December. (By the way, that is when the new Sheriff, if any, takes office) It sure looks like she is shopping for the B.B.D. (Bigger Better Deal)— Of course, this could be just a silly coincidence.

Just taking a guess, but maybe, if Teresa Walter is going to be second in command under Gahler, maybe he really cant announce it due to her current position. The second thing is maybe he really has not made a descision. Third, I think in 2006 Bane did not announce his second in command due to them still working at HCSO. Teresa is not a bad person either, she has her own ways aside from Howard.

It appears that Gahler’s strategy, if you want to call it a strategy, is to get votes by any means possible. Currently, I bet he is trying to figure out a way to make Bodway his second and avoid any deals he made with the Walters – are the Walters married? As a taxpayer that wants a smooth operating HCSO i feel that should he get elected with either scenario playing out there will be a rough transition. Do you really think things will run smoothly with second in commands that also want to be sheriff someday and that he apparently just recently befriended? Gahler will tell you that none of his immediate supporters have been promised a job. I have trouble believing this; and aren’t many of them Leo retirees or about-to-be retirees, PLEASE! If he were elected It wouldn’t be smart to get rid of current commanders, and the new in-coming group would get civilian director jobs. Top-heavy would be an understatement. At any rate I predict that he will now wait till the last minute to announce his second to mask his indecisiveness and try to make this a big show.
Oh, what a nasty little add in the Aegis. It is really almost comical and in my opinion it paints a true picture of Gahler’s style. Bane is way too noble for such petty tactics.

If Bane were noble he wouldn’t lie about a “flat” budget and he wouldn’t cherry pick crime stats. It is clear that most Bane supporters believe in the “Hope and Change” message and we see where that got us.

Oh and yeah, it is unfortunate that Gahler had to run the ad but he couldn’t count on the Aegis to at least point out Bane’s clear errors of fact.

I just saw your political add in the October 20th Aegis. I found this ad to be distastful and juvenile. You are aspiring to an important office where integrity is supreme. This add is not! I would like to see your positives not mud slinging. I hope you still have a job with MSP after November 2, 2010 because you won’t be Sheriff.
Walter Smith
Bel Air

It appears that bane and o’shitma have something in common, both want change for the worse, I hope all you little bane supporters ( the tiny gropu that you are) saw the article in the aegis, because that’s who’s protecting you, hope you all feel safe!!!

News flash, not really: Ms Walter (aka HDG Chief) has asked for a delay in her contact with the town of HDG. I got this from a member of the town staff. A very good source. it is understood that she wants to hold off so that she is not under contract in case Gahler would win she will be the #2. (We all know this isn’t going to happen). I also was told that the town is not happy with her and may not renew her contract anyway. That would be perfect no #2 at the Sheriff’s Office and no longer Chief of HDG.